Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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Obsessions or compulsions that are not due to medical illness or drug use Obsessions or compulsions that cause major distress or interfere with everyday life There are many types of obsessions and compulsions. These can be physically doing things (behaviors) or doing them in the head (mental acts...

Dramatic shifts in mood and energy can create havoc in the lives of those with bipolar disorder. It can be tough to hold down a job, manage everyday responsibilities, manage symptoms and maintain relationships, even if you’re taking medications or involved in therapy. That’s what prompted William...

What is OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder? It’s an anxiety disorder that can result in both obsessions and compulsions that may keep you from living your life the way you want to. As the National Institute of Mental Health says, “Everyone double checks things sometimes. For example, you might...

Are intrusive thoughts distracting you? Actually, everyone experiences intrusive thoughts off and on; it’s when they become so frequent that they disrupt your ability to manage your daily activities and life responsibilities that you may need to explore things a bit further. Intrusive thoughts that...

Definition Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. Alternative Names Pervasive developmental disorder - autism; Autistic spectrum disorder Causes, incidence, and risk factors Autism...

Moving Toward At front and center stage of Buddhist psychology is mindfulness: moment-to-moment non-judgmental awareness. By bringing neutral observation to life, the habitual tendency to categorize into good versus bad or like versus dislike gives way to open exploration, understanding, and wisdom...

Question: My daughter with autism is 14 and non-verbal. Over the past few years, her obsessive-compulsive behaviors have become more of a problem— particularly around issues of food, hoarding, over-eating, etc. We have tried locking the food in cabinets and in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, it...

How can behaviors associated with ASD impact a student’s educational performance? We suggest that the concept of “impact on a student’s educational performance” can be thought about by considering these 4 aspects of the public education experience which are highly valued in IDEA and other relevant...

If you, or someone you love suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you already know that the obsessions, compulsions and overwhelming anxiety can be tormenting, interfering with the ability to function normally and destroying any possible potential for tranquility. According to the International OCD Foundation, OCD disorders affect more than one in 100 people worldwide, a staggering number. Knowing you’re not alone in the struggle against this psychological disorder may supply some small comfort, but won’t be enough, if traditional treatments have not worked. A new book, “The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” by Jon Hershfield, M.F.T. and Tom Corboy, M.F.T., provides a powerful new treatment model and for many OCD sufferers, new hope.

Fiber optics implanted in the brains of mice are shedding new light on mental disorders, both figuratively and literally. Susanne Ahmari, a University of Pittsburgh researcher, is studying how pulses of light directed at certain parts of the brain affect behavior. The technique is known as...